My husband and I recently participated in a stained glass art class at Preston Arts Center. From the moment we entered I was impressed! The store was full of natural light that highlighted the rooms, and the steps to the upper classrooms were painted in colorful hues. The staff were super friendly as we strolled through the center prior to our class. The selection of art supplies was quite impressive and seemed to include most anything a person could need for art projects (colored pencils, paints, brushes, pens, markers, canvas, children's art kits, and so much more). The prices appeared to be fair and in line with box stores and chain craft supply stores. They offer an array of workshops and classes for all ages that include both one-day and weekly offerings.The class that we participated in was phenomenal. The instructor was very patient and quite knowledgeable. The price of the class included all materials. There is plenty of parking in a dedicated lot. read more

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Updating my review for the new location! Everyone there is always friendly, I love how all the little details in the shop are drawn by hand, and of course they have plenty of art supplies. I'm always able to find something I need! read more

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They have a great selection of art supplies and friendly staff who are welcoming and eager to help. Lots of pens and markers that you can test out which is great. Prices are fair for a local mom and pop shop. They offer lots of (paid) art related classes which makes me wish I lived closer to Louisville. Louisville is very lucky to have this shop; I've only been twice but it's left a lasting impression. I hope they'll thrive in their new location. read more

Best little find with a wide selection dedicated to art. Watercolor, gouache, chalk, pencil and acrylic paint with all the supplies you need to make your next masterpiece. Friendly staff that is knowledgeable. Prices are good value for a one stop shop. Support local and take a class, they offer so many classes for all levels, with some geared to kids. read more

Great locally owned art supply store with everything I need for my projects! The new location in Lyndon is fresh and bright with lots of natural light. Colorfully painted steps lead to the classrooms upstairs. The owners and staff are always helpful! read more

I grew up in Louisville going to this store when it was on Gardiner Lane and live out of town. They've been super helpful over the phone and sent me supplies in the mail that aren't on the website, and offered to order me a particular canvas, which is really amazing. Really good selections of pens, pencils, markers, and all staff are very knowledgable about any medium. read more

It's rare to find a store dedicated to artists and even better, Preston Arts Center is locally owned. My son received a gift card for the holidays in 2019. I was nervous they wouldn't accept the paper gift certificates but they were gracious in honoring them. My son loves pens in all colors. While he enjoys his digital drawing pad, he also loves a blank sketchbook and pens. He was able to get both and loved testing them on available test paper around the store. It's all about the feel Mom! I'd imagine you can find anything you need here and prices seem reasonable. Pens, pencils, pastels, paints, canvases, easels and so much more. If I had more graphic design creativity I'd go crazy spending my money. Art classes available but they are primarily geared toward adults. Private parking lot in a strip business center. Lovely team of staff that greeted us and made sure we found what we needed. read more

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I love Preston's Art Center. Friendly staff and locally owned. I have taken numerus classes there and have enjoyed everyone. Knowledgeable dedicated teachers with lots of patience! Elaine Jetton Louisville, KY read more

I needed a few painting supplies and didn't want to give more money to any big box stores or heaven forbid Hobby Lobby and was glad to see Preston Arts had an online shop. I remembered the store from when I used to live in Louisville and after a little bit of browsing I found the items I needed (paint brushes primarily) at a reasonable price! Ordered them easily and with confidence. I received the items super fast and was happy to support a local institution. Thank you! read more

Went in to pick up an on line order. I spoke with Don about my order. All I told Don was what I was picking up and he knew immediately what I was talking about. So helpful and full of knowledge, it's what I come to expect from my visits to their Center! Preston has everything you need for your art, no matter the medium. Helpful employees and well stocked items. Keep an eye out for Pop and Georgia, you never know where you'll see them. In reference to social distancing, Preston is here to keep you healthy, with a board showing the proper way to wear a mask, from the directional flow in and out of the store, to the hand sanitizing station, keeping you healthy is a top priority. I go to Preston for all my needs because they're a local small business, with that family feel and they know their stuff. If you haven't been, I highly recommend them and check them out on IGTV! read more

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Preston Art Center has been my happy place for about 10 years. The staff and the Preston family are friendly and super helpful. The classes are fun and filled with information that has helped me improve my art. I look forward to the drawing studios each week, with other students that now feel like family. Jeremy, who is the talented artist working with us, has excellent people skills. He is able to help with our projects in a way that keeps my confidence up. Go ahead -- visit and sign up for a class! --. You'll love it! read more

The best customer service in the region. If they don't carry something you want they bend-over-backwards to help you get it. Their prices are better than other on-line supply companies and you help support local businesses. It's a hidden gem located in Lyndon/ St. Matthews area on Warick Ave just off of Herr Lane. A wide range of classes are available at the store, from adult workshops and classes to continuing classes for kids as well as summertime workshops for children and young adults. If you are interested in creating comics and manga Jeremy Miller offers a variety of courses for every age. When you wish for an art supply house which make you feel like you're family and can answer all of your questions about materials and how-to achieve your project you can find it all at PRESTONS ART CENTER. read more

I have been going to Preston Arts Center for over 40 years, both for art supplies and for classes. The staff is very professional and helpful. Their selection is very good but If they don't have what you're looking for, they'll find it and order it for you. The teachers are all skilled, good teachers. Better than most I had in university art classes, to be honest. I have learned so much there and gotten so much support over the years. I highly recommend. read more

This store is amazing. The selection of art supplies is high quality but what makes this store truly the GOAT is the staff. They are friendly, knowledgeable and eager to help. Superb service that you would never find with an online shopping outlet or a chain store. read more

I really love this place because, while my artistic and creative endeavors are few, I like to have the correct tool* for the job. They have a helpful staff that is ready to jump in and guide you in the right direction, I really appreciate that. Also, guys, this is a local business. The money you spend here stays here in Louisville. Things here don't cost more than other stores or online outlets. It's also an *Arts* center, you're not going to encounter a lot of crafts materials, which may be bad for you but crafts irk me (even though I'm excellent at crafts as an elementary school teachers). This is serious, high quality art equipment. ***HUGE PLUSES*** 1. The staff knows their product, that's huge help when you're beginnings 2. You get 10% off when you join their list 3. They have CLASSES so you can explore or discover a passion * I have enough human tools in my life as friends and family, I am not taking applications read more

Preston Arts Center - Art Schools Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Love this place! The staff is super helpful and they have a huge selection. By far the best art store I've ever been to. I love how clean and compact the store is. I'll be back. read more

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This place has always been great. It is a clean, we'll run art store in a shopping center with ample parking. They have a seriously great selection and there is artwork strewn throughout the store. When I say strewn throughout the store, I mean that they have lots of signage with artwork. I wanna say that it is 100% done by the employees, but I'm not sure. Either way, I love it. Like, say you were looking at an array of charcoal pencils. There is a sample drawing with those very pencils so you can see the quality of them. Today I came in for some micron pens and left with a new sketchbook, some drawing pencils, and an eraser. As soon as I walked in I was greeted and asked if I needed any help. The guy that helped me was super knowledgable and had no issues answering any questions I had (I had a million, as usual). He helped me pick out a good eraser for pencil drawings and told me a little about their Faber Castel drawing pencils. They do hold art classes at this location and they have plenty of schedules for you to look at if you are curious. They are a bit expensive, but that is to be expected. However, they offer a student discount here! Ask about it. I am a repeat customer and I will most likely be back :) thanks, Preston Art Center! read more

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Preston is the only place to get the best service and supplies in the city. Their customer loyalty program is so great and the staff is so helpful when picking out tools. The selection of paper and pens far surpasses that of the chain craft stores. This is the ultimate store for Bullet Journal supplies!! Love having this in Lou! read more

My favorite art store in Louisville! I've been going here for years and I've never had a bad experience. The workers are always so nice and helpful. read more

I went in looking for a particular color of watercolor. They were out of stock, Andrew Preston literally offered me some of his personal stash from home! Now that is customer service! I love Preston Arts Center, and they are my go-to art supply store. I absolutely love that this is a multi-generational family-owned business. I try to buy local and independent as much as possible. read more

I feel bad leaving this store's lowest yelp feedback. I was denied purchase with an 'older,' unexpired gift card'. The way I was told was like I did something wrong. I tried using it twice as it is unfair to discontinue gift cards as sold without any expiration printed on the card. Neither clerk wanted to see my last receipt with balance amount, to see proof of gift card purchase or to even offer a coupon or discount. I can think of better, customer friendly ways to deny me my legal right to use a gift card. So I left a bad review on facebook. Luckily someone responded and took measures to make right. However, I wasted 2 trips to the store, and likely will not go back to the store. read more

My recent dabblings into art and my boyfriend's ungodly talent has brought here to scope out some supplies for his paintings mostly, but I learned a few things while running around as well. Scott really needed new paintbrushes, like some of them are falling apart, bad! So when he received several gift cards to Preston's we headed down to look at some of them. We kind of got lost looking for everything that we wanted because there's just so much in the store. We found the Golden acrylic paints and he got a few new colors there. While we were looking for the paint brushes Mr. Preston walks up to us and asks if we need any help. He quickly points us to where the good paintbrushes are and explains how certain hair for paint brushes are better than others for different styles (all of which above my head as I just do it for fun, plus I'm better at illustrating than painting). I learned a lot for the moment and also realized just how expensive good paintbrushes are. Scott got several brushes on sale, some paint, a gift for his niece and a couple of oil markers for a decent price. They also have coloring books for adults, which just means really thin lines and headache causing IMO, tons of novelty items like soap bars at the register with funny names on them, anything you may need to get your art on and more. The employees know what they're talking about and if you have the chance to meet Mr. Preston you won't regret it, he's so upbeat about art and his store, it's amazing! read more

I love these people. I'm a fashion designer ordering things that I can't find here, and they are always helpful in locating what I can use, and they've even helped me to fix my broken drafting table. They have two locations, so if they don't have it at one they can sometimes find it in the other. Friendly customer service will call you and let you know when they have it. I can't even begin to tell you how much running around these fine folks have saved me. Wonderful, all of them. read more

Visiting Preston Arts Center makes me wish I was artistically inclined. Unfortunately my artistic abilities max out at drawing stick figures. I do plan on trying my hand at coloring books at least; I noticed many detailed coloring books of different subjects on several racks. Though there are child appropriate coloring books there were many books with such small detail that it would present a fun challenge for even an adult. That's probably as far as my artistic capabilities might be able to reach though. Artistic people-I wish I had your skills! The reason I make trips to Preston Arts Center is because I have the GF who loves to paint and do crafts, I'm a guardian to a teenager who is really good at drawing, and I have a 9 year old who likes drawing and coloring. Preston Arts Center is able to handle all the materials needed to satisfy these art forms and even more such as design and sculpture. Preston Arts Center is located within the Gardiner Lane Shopping center so there is plenty of parking. As you enter the store you see thousands of pieces of art media and supplies. It's truly art heaven for an artist. Around the store you'll find any piece of paper you can paint, sketch, draw, color on with multiple brands of pencils, brushes, charcoal, etc that meet a wide budget range. I was able to get a few recommended brushes for acrylic painting for about $3 each while stepping up to a more premium brand for one brush for $10. On my most recent trip I was able to buy tri-toned colored pencils to add to my teenager's art supply arsenal. Price of these nifty colored pencils were about $1.50 . Preston Arts Center is also a great place for gifts; I've bought art supply boxes and sturdy bags to carry all sorts of art media. This place also offers art classes for younger children, teenagers, and adults. I know I know, it's exactly what I should try but the class that's probably at my level is the "My First Drawing" class but it's geared for 6-8 year old children. I've been to Preston Arts Center several times now and each time I go there the service I receive is very friendly and helpful. The store is neatly organized and is non intimidating for the non-artist like me. While you're shopping around the Gardiner Lane Shopping center, take a peek inside Preston Arts center. read more

Preston Arts Center - Tri-Tone Colored Pencils - Art Schools Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

The most helpful art store in town! Every staff member is knowledgeable and friendly. The store carries an extensive selection of products, with many hidden gems to get your creativity flowing. Love this place! read more

The only independently owned and operated art supply store in the state of Kentucky. Great selection, great prices, helpful and knowledgeable staff, and a range of classes for all ages. read more

I WANT to support local stores when I can. And Preston Art Center is a pretty cool store. Paints, plaster, and pens. Oh My! It carries art supplies in the most traditional sense. I cross stitch and was looking for Aida cloth. They do NOT carry it, floss, or other cross stitch supplies. The staff tried to point me to a different local business, and were very friendly, but in the end I left empty handed. I will keep this place in mind when I do more painting or paper crafts because of the rest of their selection, but sadly I cannot patronize their business for my most commonly done craft. read more

Great people, always helpful! If they don't have the answer for you they will investigate and get to for you. Important to support LOCAL businesses owned by local people. This is a family owned business. A very large variety of supplies for all kinds of media. They will also custom order for you if it isn't on the shelf! read more

I have always been intrigued by the whole artistic talent people have and I would often just pop in here to see the tools to the trade. I am not artistic. just jealous of those that are. My son recently moved back home and is very artistic. He insists we go here because the materials are great quality with a variety available. The people here are always friendly and plus its all about art, not just a small art section in the middle of a bunch of silk flowers... check it out all you starvin artist. maybe you wont starve much longer. read more

Pretty and smart? What a gem! This place popped up on a Google search for "craft stores" and I decided to swing by on my way home from work. I was looking for something pretty specific, so my intention was to run in and out. Well, that didn't happen. It was like an artsy Target trip. I had no idea how extensive this place would be. Its size is deceiving from the outside because it is situated in a small strip mall, left of rainbow blossom. Not only was it way bigger than I thought, but it was packed to the rafters with so many different art supplies, I couldn't even begin to describe all that is in there! My takeaway? SO MUCH PAINT! Ha. I am no artist. I would consider myself a "crafty person". I have been playing around with some marbling techniques and mixed media projects, and I was looking for clear sealant that could be used for porous or nonporous surfaces. After walking to the back of the store and slowly making my way back to the front, admitting defeat in my solo quest, the customer service rep was able to lead me to it in about 2 seconds. I give 4 stars, not 5, only because I was also looking for a specific kind of paint for a new project I'm doing on glazed and glass surfaces, and the person working was not confident in his recommendations, and asked me to come back and ask another person who works there during the day shift. I understand not every area is a specialty for each person. It was considerate and wise for him to recommend I make time to come back and talk to the right person, a little inconvenient but appreciated overall. I would recommend for projects big and small! read more

Preston Arts Center - Feeling artsy - Art Schools Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Huge selection! Helpful staff. Signing up for the mailing list gets you 10% off retail. Open stock of all kinds of drawing and painting toys - I mean tools. read more

I signed up for an art course on the recommendation of the people in the center. My sign up was almost 2 months before the course started and I was the second person on the list. 10 days before e course was due to start the center called me and told me I could no longer participate as I am a new customer. When I signed up, in addition to suggesting this course, the people in the center did not tell me priority would be given to existing customers or that they may do this and they happily took my money. I am new to Louisville and the USA and was looking forward to the course as a way to meet fellow artists. I don't think this is a nice way to treat customers. I wrote to the center to tell them how upsetting it was. They did not reply. read more